Gibson easily passes test in U.S. rout

The hip injury that shelved John Gibson for five games with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers and put into some question his readiness for the IIHF World Junior Championship is clearly in his past.

Gibson, the Ducks' touted goaltending prospect, stopped all 19 shots he faced in the first two periods for the United States in its 8-0 rout of Germany in its Group B opener Thursday at Ufa, Russia.

Taken early in the second round of the 2011 draft by the Ducks, Gibson passed every test he faced from the Germans before being replaced by Jon Gillies. Gillies stopped the seven shots he faced.

It was at the end of November when Gibson strained his hip flexor during a 3-1 loss to the London Knights. The 19-year-old returned on Dec. 13 to shake off whatever rust he built up, making 37 saves in a 4-1 win over the Windsor Spitfires.

The Americans rolled from the outset Thursday as they built a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. Eight different players scored as Alex Galchenyuk and Riley Barber each had a goal and two assists. Seth Jones, the possible No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft, also scored.

Russia, led by Nail Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko, is up next for the U.S. on Friday and will provided a far more difficult test.

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